Design Principle 9: Use Small and Slow Solutions

The design principle “Use Slow and Small Solutions” invites us to take planned and careful decisions and actions. Instead of leaping in the deep end, testing the water first can ensure success in the longer term, and create smoother transitions without the overwhelm. Of course there are times when large and bold solutions are called for, but being able to test the solution and replicate it widely in a mosaic pattern can improve the likelihood of success.

Here are 5 ways to apply this principle in your organisation or business:

1. Maybe it seems obvious, but considering what you are trying to achieve is the first step. Instead of jumping straight into action that may not be productive of the outcome you desire spend some time reflecting on your purpose and conduct an audit of the current state of affairs – what is working well and what could use revamping.
2. Start with small, impactful actions, especially if this is a new focus for your business or organisation. Pick one area to focus on, then expand the initiative into different departments, or add a new step each month. Examples could include setting up small-scale recycling and composting systems for office waste, swapping to recycled paper, or establishing ride to work days or a car share initiative.
3. Implement nature-based solutions: Instead of focusing on quick technological fixes, consider how nature addresses similar issues and draw inspiration from nature’s models. Examples include utilizing shade from trees, managing water runoff with natural filtration systems, and creating green spaces for your employees and visitors to enjoy.
4. Create a plan to transition to renewable energy or net-zero targets: Start with the low-hanging fruit like installing sensor lights, or purchasing renewable energy, then adopt a longer-term outlook for the business’s energy use by installing renewable energy sources, such as solar or wind power if practicable, or upgrading vehicles with electric cars as they are due for replacement. Once you have considered your own energy and resource use, apply the same process towards assessing your supply chain. The less intensive the resources you purchase, the lower your own footprint, and the more you can save in energy and waste management.
5. Employee retention and engagement: Value existing employees by investing in training, career advancement opportunities, and encouraging a healthy and safe work environment to promote a sustainable organisational culture. Onboarding new employees is much more time consuming and expensive than making the most of the people you already have.

Implementing slow and small solutions in a business context emphasizes making gradual improvements for lasting positive change, focusing on the long-term impact and adaptability within the organization and its operations.

Interested in learning how design thinking could benefit your organisation? See www.realearthsolutions.com/training for more information.